Book Displays in the Hilton Library: Current Display

Monthly themed displays of featured books from the CIA Library Collection. Visit the library to BROWSE & BORROW the books on display. Explore this guide to learn about the current display and discover more books in our collection.

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Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, after a petition by the National Women’s History Project, Congress designated March as “Women’s History Month.” The Library of Congress and others join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

The 2018 campaign theme is #PressforProgress - there is a strong and growing global movement striving for gender parity and there has never been a more important time to keep motivated, to press forward and progress gender parity.

2018 Theme: “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives”
This year of unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality and justice has captured headlines and public discourse, propelled by a rising determination for change. This is an opportunity to transform this momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realize their full potential. We draw attention to the rights and activism of rural women, who make up over a quarter of the world population and majority of the 43 per cent of women in the global agricultural labour force. They till the lands and plant seeds to feed nations, ensure food security for their communities and build climate resilience. . Yet, on almost every measure of development, because of deep seated gender inequalities and discrimination, rural women fare worse than rural men or urban women. Rural women and their organizations represent an enormous potential; they are using innovative agricultural methods, setting up successful businesses and acquiring new skills, pursuing their legal entitlements and running for office.
On 8 March, join activists around the world and UN Women to seize the moment, celebrate, take action and transform women’s lives everywhere. The time is NOW.

International Women’s Day first emerged from the labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The international women’s movement has made the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.